THE BENNETTS' CHRISTMAS (The Bennett Family and the Masters Family #6) - Brenda Jackson Page 0,33
eyes. “The North Pole?”
She smiled over at him. “Yes, a North Pole street sign and a miniature gingerbread house to sit over in the corner, but it won’t go up tonight. I’m beat.”
In reality, she wasn’t, but there was no way she could remain in Parker Stanhope’s presence any longer without launching herself at him. Even with the Christmas music she’d had playing while they decorated the tree, or their conversations, where she shared wild and crazy Bennett Christmas stories, neither of them could ignore the hot sparks of energy that passed between them.
The man was oozing with sexiness and whenever he would bend his body, lift his hands or reach over to put an ornament in just the right place, it would cause a gush of feminine awareness to spread through her.
“I enjoyed tonight, Sebrina. Thanks for letting me help with the tree.”
She nodded. “I had a good time too. And I appreciate not having to do it alone.” He’d told her that the Stanhopes would put up a tree every year but paid a company to come in and decorate. It sounded too impersonal to her. And she was glad he had helped her. She’d known he’d genuinely enjoyed it.
Now if only they could get rid of all this pesky sexual attraction sizzling between them.
“Well, I guess that’s it for now.”
His words caused her to look over at him. Nodding, she said, “Yes, that’s it.”
He looked at his watch. “Wow, it’s already dinner time. Do you plan to eat?”
Why was he asking? Was he hungry and thinking about inviting her out to share a meal with him, the way he had for lunch? She hoped not since she could only take so much Parker Stanhope—and what she was starting to feel for him—in a day.
“I have plenty of microwave dinners in the freezer. When I get hungry, I just pop one in.”
The face he made let her know he wasn’t a fan of microwave dinners. His next words verified that fact. “As a doctor, I’m sure you know those things are loaded with sodium.”
She couldn’t help but grin. “Guilty.”
“I’ll take care of that once I get to the grocery store. I love cooking and always make plenty.”
She lifted a brow. “You like to cook?”
“I love it. It relaxes me.”
“Umm, maybe a better question is, can you cook?”
“I’ve had no complaints.”
“Then I can’t wait to try out one of your meals. In the meantime, you’re welcome to one of my microwave dinners.”
“I’ll pass. I’m about ready to crash, and when that happens, I can sleep through anything…including hunger. I’ll see you later, Sebrina,” he said, walking toward his bedroom.
“Goodnight and thanks again for your help, Parker.” She couldn’t help watching him, mesmerized with the way he walked.
He stopped and glanced back at her and gave her a smile. “You’re welcome to my help at any time.”
His words made her pulse trip and all she could do was nod. Then he turned back around and went to his room. And she kept watching him.
Sebrina hadn’t realized she’d been holding her breath until he entered his bedroom and closed the door behind him.
CHAPTER TEN
MONICA
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, WE are now docked in Brisbane where we will remain for the next two days. Everyone is asked to be back onboard ship by midnight tomorrow night. Enjoy your time in Brisbane and please stay safe.
Monica stepped out on the balcony and glanced around. She had awakened early that morning and ordered breakfast. Now she was dressed and ready to start her day touring Brisbane with Landon. Already her mind was running through the things she’d planned for the day ahead. First stop was Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, and she couldn’t wait to get there. Rae’jean and Ryan had gone to Australia for their honeymoon and had brought them all home souvenirs. Hers had been a stuffed Koala bear that she had named Frisko. For years, he had been her constant bedtime companion. When she had left home for college, she figured it was time to give Frisko a rest, so now he was packed up somewhere in her parents’ attic. Today she would get to see a real live Frisko.
She had walked back into her cabin when she heard the knock on her door. She quickly looked into the full-length mirror—she was wearing a pair of shorts and one of her blouses that bared her shoulders. Although she had been tempted to wear a pair of her cute sandals, she knew by the end